Nephi explains why he has quoted 13 chapters from the book of Isaiah. He knows that Isaiah is difficult to understand, but the principles he taught are very important. Most important is to understand that only Jesus Christ can save us. Nephi and his people still follow the law of Moses, but they understand that it points them toward Christ.
Chapter Outline
- Nephi explains why he quoted Isaiah (v. 1-8).
- Nephi prophesies of the coming of Christ, the destruction of Babylon, and the gathering of Israel (v. 9-19).
- Only Jesus Christ can save us. We teach our children about Him, and we also keep the law of Moses (v. 20-27).
- Admonition to his children: Believe in Christ, and keep the law of Moses (v. 28-30).
My Takeaways
- We need the Holy Ghost to help us understand the scriptures.
- Jesus Christ can heal all of our wounds—physical and spiritual.
- As we submit our will to the will of God, we receive His grace.
- We should use every available medium of communication to share our witness of Christ.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Why Nephi Quotes Isaiah (2 Nephi 25:1-8)
About Isaiah and Plainness
Nephi was extremely careful about the content he included in his record. A large amount of that content comes from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah’s writings are difficult but with some effort can be extremely rewarding. Here are some ideas to help.
They Are Plain unto All Those Who Are Filled with the Spirit of Prophecy – 2 Nephi 25:4
4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the…
❖ Nephi Prophesies of Christ (2 Nephi 25:9-19)
What Is the Significance of the Name “Jesus?”
Every time we say the name “Jesus,” we are not only identifying Him; we are also affirming that God loves us and is willing to save us. The promise is embedded in the name.
His Name Shall Be Jesus Christ – 2 Nephi 25:19-20
19 For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 20 And now, my…
With Healing in His Wings – 2 Nephi 25:13
13 Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning…
❖ Only Jesus Christ Can Save Us – 2 Nephi 25:20-27
What Does It Mean to Be Saved by Grace “After All We Can Do?”
After sharing a sermon by his brother Jacob about the Atonement, Nephi quoted extensively from the book of Isaiah. He explained that his reason for quoting these two other witnesses was to “[prove] unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ” (2 Nephi 11:4). He then proceeded to share his own testimony “according…
Why Did the Nephites Keep the Law of Moses?
The apostle Paul told the saints in Galatia that the law of Moses had served as a “schoolmaster” to help them develop faith in Jesus Christ. After they developed faith, they didn’t need the schoolmaster any more (Galatians 3:24-25). The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob also recognized that the law of Moses was intended to…
“We Talk of Christ”
Nephi tells us that he consistently taught his children about Christ, because he wanted them to know where to turn to overcome their sins. Sometimes those words aren’t well-received at first, but they may eventually become a lifeline in a time of need.
That Our Children May Know – 2 Nephi 25:23, 26
23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of…
The Deadness of the Law – 2 Nephi 25:27
27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they…
❖ Nephi’s Admonition – 2 nephi 25:28-30
Until the Law Shall Be Fulfilled – 2 Nephi 25:30
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this…
Old Testament Foundations
“When Thou Sittest in Thine House”
Teaching doesn’t just happen in a classroom. In fact, some of the most important teaching happens spontaneously, as a by-product of other activities. At the end of Moses’ life, he delivered three discourses to the children of Israel in preparation for their entry into the promised land. Near the beginning of the second discourse, he…
Performances and Ordinances
Even before rescuing the children of Israel from bondage, the Lord prescribed for them formal actions they should take each year to commemorate their deliverance. They should select a lamb, not just any lamb, but an unblemished male lamb in its first year. They should roast it with fire (not boil it) and eat it…
A New Covenant
Jeremiah prophesied that God would make a new covenant with us. He wants this covenant to be “written in our hearts.” That’s because covenants are all about relationships. We need to view our covenants as relationships, not merely a set of requirements.
What Can We Learn from the Brass Serpent?
As Moses led the Israelites to the promised land, they came to a place where there were “fiery serpents.” Many people were bitten by the snakes and died. God told Moses to make a snake out of brass and place it on top of a pole. Whenever any of the people was bitten by one…
New Testament Parallels
Only by His Grace
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul testifies that we are justified only by God’s grace. Lehi, Jacob, and Nephi taught the same principle. When we recognize that we need Him, we will seek to align ourselves with Him, so that we can receive His power.
None Other Name
Peter taught that there is “none other name” by which we can be saved, except the name of Jesus Christ. When we use His name properly, and when we take His name upon ourselves, we receive His power.
That Rock Was Christ
We expect rocks to be solid, reliable, and strong. We don’t expect them to quench our thirst. But the Savior provides both a firm foundation and “living water.” That’s why a rock which produces water is a meaningful symbol of Jesus.
What Is the Spirit of Prophecy?
While the children of Israel traveled in the wilderness toward the promised land, an incident happened which demonstrated Moses’s understanding of prophecy. Moses held a council at the tabernacle with the seventy elders who had been selected to govern the people. All who participated in that meeting were filled with the Spirit of the Lord…
Church History Connections
Walk in the Ordinances
As Brigham Young led thousands of church members into an unknown frontier, he received a revelation teaching them how to organize themselves for the journey. Near the beginning of that revelation is a concise statement encapsulating the standards of behavior expected of this group of travelers: And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of…
“Mine Ordinances”
There is power in choosing to do things the Lord’s way. After the children of Israel were rescued from slavery in Egypt, the Lord emphasized that He wanted them to worship Him according to His instructions, not according to the religious traditions of their former taskmasters nor of their future neighbors: After the doings of the land…
Why Is It Important for People to Hear the Gospel in Their Own Language?
After quoting thirteen chapters from the book of Isaiah, the prophet Nephi began to write some of his own teachings. He acknowledged that many of his people found the words of Isaiah to be cryptic. He disagreed, saying that they were “plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.” But he…
Receiving God’s Law
Receiving God’s law requires more than hearing it, and more than superficial compliance. Ancient and modern scriptures teach that full reception involves thoughtful engagement, discussion with other people, covenants to obey, and complete integration of the law into every aspect of our lives.
The Empty Tomb
On a Sunday morning, three women approached a tomb and found it empty. Today, we celebrate that moment. Because of the Savior’s resurrection, we will all be released from the bondage of death. Because of Him, death is temporary, and life is forever.
All Posts Referencing 2 Nephi 25
- An Offering for Sin (4/30/2026)
- Holiness to the Lord (4/27/2026)
- Persuasion (10/23/2025)
- Reading to Understand (8/24/2025)
- “Who Shall Stand in His Holy Place?” (8/7/2025)
- Receiving God’s Law (5/1/2025)
- The Empty Tomb (4/20/2025)
- Book of Mormon Elements in Doctrine and Covenants 20 (3/14/2025)
- Old Testament Prophecies of the Second Coming (1/24/2025)
- “I…Will Not Deny the Christ” (12/3/2024)
- What Do You Delight In? (11/3/2024)
- Amaleki (4/19/2024)
- “He Is Risen” (3/31/2024)
- Nephi’s Vision and Nephi’s Prophecy (3/12/2024)
- “We Talk of Christ” (3/10/2024)
- Declare His Doings (3/7/2024)
- About Isaiah and Plainness (2/4/2024)
- Jesus Is the Christ (1/7/2024)
- The Title Page and Nephi (1/4/2024)
- Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy (12/30/2023)
- A New Covenant (11/9/2023)
- Apostasy and Restoration (10/22/2023)
- “With the Spirit…and With the Understanding Also” (9/7/2023)
- That Rock Was Christ (8/30/2023)
- Only by His Grace (8/11/2023)
- None Other Name (7/7/2023)
- God Gave Them Knowledge (11/1/2022)
- The Book of Psalms and the Book of Mormon (8/27/2022)
- What I Learned from Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua, May 2022 (5/31/2022)
- “When Thou Sittest in Thine House” (5/17/2022)
- Performances and Ordinances (4/2/2022)
- Moses (3/22/2022)
- The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon (12/26/2021)
- Walk in the Ordinances (11/23/2021)
- “Mine Ordinances” (5/21/2021)
- The Work, the Sword, the Sickle, and the Prayer (1/28/2021)
- “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ” – 3 Nephi 9:15-18, 11:10-11 (9/18/2020)
- “All That We Could Do” – Alma 24:11, 15 (7/2/2020)
- What Is the Significance of the Name “Jesus?” (12/26/2019)
- What Are the Roles of Persuasion and Punishment in Motivating Good Behavior? (12/4/2019)
- Why Are Ordinances Important? (11/9/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Diligence? (9/22/2019)
- What Do We Need to Do to Be Saved by Grace? (8/30/2019)
- What Is the Spirit of Prophecy? (8/17/2019)
- Why Did the Nephites Keep the Law of Moses? (8/11/2019)
- What Can We Learn from the Brass Serpent? (6/12/2019)
- How Does Isaiah Point Us Toward Christ? (6/1/2019)
- How Can Recognizing Parallelisms Help Me Understand Isaiah? (5/29/2019)
- Why Is Isaiah Quoted So Much in the Book of Mormon? (5/27/2019)
- Why Is Jesus Called “the Holy One of Israel?” (3/8/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be Saved by Grace “After All We Can Do?” (1/29/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Grace? (1/28/2019)
- Why Is It Important for People to Hear the Gospel in Their Own Language? (1/15/2019)
- His Name Shall Be Jesus Christ – 2 Nephi 25:19-20 (10/18/2018)
- With Healing in His Wings – 2 Nephi 25:13 (8/11/2017)
- They Are Plain unto All Those Who Are Filled with the Spirit of Prophecy – 2 Nephi 25:4 (8/10/2017)
- Until the Law Shall Be Fulfilled – 2 Nephi 25:30 (6/12/2016)
- We Labor Diligently – 2 Nephi 25:23 (4/17/2016)
- That Our Children May Know – 2 Nephi 25:23, 26 (3/13/2015)
- The Deadness of the Law – 2 Nephi 25:27 (3/13/2015)